M e m b e r Pe r s p e c t i v e by Mara D ’ Amico
Turn “ Why ?” to “ How ?”
How I Leapt Ahead with Personal Training
“ A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step .” – Lao-tzu
hate running . I love running . Two
Iapparently opposite sentiments . When I first started running two years ago , I asked , “ Why ?”
Why would I put my body through pounding on the pavement ? Why would anyone want to run that far ? Why would anyone like this ? Why would you love running ? play on the playground , and walk back home . It was about a mile round-trip , but that mile felt like a thousand . I was just cleared to start working out again post hysterectomy surgery , and I was out of shape , out of breath , and exhausted . I knew how much they loved our little routine , so I kept going and after a few weeks , that mile started to feel good .
Summer came to an end , and it was getting too cool to walk / run with my about one month after incorporating small group training . I felt amazing . I signed up for more races , friends at the gym started joining me in races , and I started to “ Leap ” after each race . I leap to celebrate my buddy , Max , a threeyear-old boy I got matched with through a social media group called IRUN4 . Max has some medical challenges . I am inspired by him and think about him when I run . Although exhausted at the finish line , I always have the inspiration and energy to take a strong leap for Max ( Here ’ s a the photo to prove it !)
I hate running !
Fast forward to February 2017 . This morning I woke up early . My two children and husband were still asleep so I could get in my long run before they woke up . What is a long run ? Today , it ' s 10 miles .
In early 2015 I could barely run a mile . I could not understand why or how someone could run for so long , and today I ' m training for my third marathon . Two conflicting emotions still run through my head and heart . I hate running . I love running .
Now these contradictory emotions are more nuanced . I hate running too late in the day when I may tire out too soon or I can ' t get in all my miles because of other commitments . I love running because it clears my mind - it ' s my “ me ” time . The question “ Why ?” occasionally runs through my dome , but I have found new answers .
Here are just a few of them : It ' s rejuvenating . It ' s inspiring to meet new people . I lost weight and decreased my body fat . I have more endurance and strength than ever before , and I have fun while I run , especially after a race where I do my signature “ Jump ” - more about this later . I can wear Batman leggings , and people cheer for you . You get really cool medals after some of the races ! I run for loved ones that passed away . I run for those that can ' t . I run because I can . So how did I get to this point where I was able to turn my snarky , selfdoubting " why ' s " into positive can do " how ' s ?"
I began my journey in 2015 by walking with my children in a double stroller after work . We would walk to the park ,
Marianela turned my “ Why ?” questions into “ How ?” questions : How can I get faster ; how can I run longer ; how can I get stronger ?
little ones . In September 2015 I decided to join Fitness Incentive and continue my journey . I had not been in a gym since my daughter was born in September 2010 . I decided to take a class instead of just running on the treadmill , and the next day I was feeling a pain I had never felt before . It was good ; my body was sore but didn ' t want to give up . I then started taking a few classes and began feeling stronger . On other days , I would run , and I noticed an improvement in how I was running . After three months , I incorporated small group training with Marianela Virella-Mielke , and she delved deeper to outline my goals more clearly . Marianela turned my “ Why ?” questions into “ How ?” questions : How can I get faster , how can I run longer , how can I get stronger ? With a strength training and nutrition plan in place , I began to set more specific goals and take action .
I remember running my first 5k in January 2016 with a time of 30:14 ,
Mara ’ s signature “ Leap for Max ”
In November 2016 , I ran my first full marathon , New York City . As we were training , Marianela asked me to think about my marathon goal . I said I wanted to complete the race in under 5 hours . I ran NYC in 4:56:41 . After the NYC marathon , I went further with my training . In January 2017 , I completed four races in four days in Walt Disney World . A total of 48.6 miles ! I sent a text to Marianela- “ We did it !” I say “ we ” because it was Marianela who helped me find my “ How ?” and stay focused beyond asking “ Why ?”
In addition to miles , my running has improved mentally and physically with a strength training program . My body has transformed since I began my journey over a year ago . I have continued to get faster with short distances . I just hit a Personal Record for the 5K with a time of 26:34 . I am currently training to run the Chicago Marathon in October 2017 and looking for an even faster marathon time with Marianela ' s support and training .
I have met so many amazing athletes at both running events and at Fitness Incentive who have inspired me to keep going . I challenge you to turn your “ Why ?” into “ How ?”.
Spring 2017 FIT to Print
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